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Hajj

Meaning of hajj

Literal meaning of “Hajj” is to plan and in Shariyah terminology it means to stop at ‘Arafaat (near Makkah where major Hajj rite is performed) after adopting “Ehraam” and to perform circumambulation of “Ka’bah” (the House of Allah). A particular time is fixed for the performance of these rites. and Hajj is only effective if these worships are performed on time.

History of Makkah

After building the Ka’bah, Prophet Ibrahim came to Mekkah every year to perform Hajj and after the death of Hazrat Ibrahim, his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) carried this practice. In 9th hijri, Hajj was made obligatory and 300 Muslims were sent with Hazrat Abubakr Siddique (RA) to Makkah to perform Hajj. In 10th Hijri, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared that he would accomplish Hajj that year. He directed thousands of Muslims to Hajj and explained them how to perform hajj. This Hajj is called Hajj al Wadaa’ or Farewell Hajj as it was the last and first Hajj of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Hajj obligations

Any Muslim either man or woman fulfilling the following criteria has a religious obligation to perform Hajj once in a lifetime.

Must have attained puberty almost girls 9 years of age and boys 15 years of age.

Must be A’Aaqil, means being healthy, stable and of sound mind.

Must be free from burden.

Must be healthy.

Must have enough time to travel to Makkah and perform Hajj within the required days.

Must have enough funds for traveling and for bearing all Hajj expenses, as well as have enough money so that when he return he is able to make his living and maintain himself and his dependents during Hajj and after it.

The journey to Hajj and returning from it must not involve any danger to the security of his life, wealth and family. One planning to go to Hajj must be healthy. If he is unwell or old or has any other justifiable excuse Hajj would not be Wajib on him.

Performance of Hajj is WAJIB-E-FAURI. When all the above mentioned circumstances are satisfied, Hajj turn out to be Wajib instantly. To delay it without any realistic cause is the major sins. When one has Istita’ah, Hajj must be performed in the same year, and its obligation continues in the following years also until it has been performed.

Hajj al-badal

Hajj that is performed on the behalf of any other person is called ‘Hajj Al-Badal’. It can be performed on behalf of dead people, it can even be accomplished on the place of live people who are weak or old. But the condition to perform is that the one who has to perform Hajj on behalf of other person should have performed his Hajj before; if he has not performed his own Hajj before, he is not able to perform Hajj on behalf of others.

Pillars of Hajj

Ihram

To wear Ihram is the plan of starting the Hajj. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Intentions are what count in deeds, and every person will be rewarded according to his intention.”

There are specific timing for weraing Ihraam as in the Holy Quran:

“Hajj is [among] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj ‎compulsory upon himself there in [by entering in the state of Ihraam], there is [to be for him] no sexual terms, disobedience and no arguing during Hajj.” [Quran 2:197].

So, Start Ihraam from the Meekaats.

Tawaf

Tawaaf is to walk seven times around the Ka’bah in an anti-clockwise track. Allah (SWT) says,

“Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House.” (22:29)

Saye between safa and marwa

Saye is to walk between hills of Safa and Marwa back and forward with the aim of offering this act for the obedience of Allah. Allah (SWT) says,

“Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeys his own impulse to Good, be sure that Allah is He Who recognizes and knows.” (2:158)

Departure to Mina

Haj is continue towards Mina after the sunrise. People complete the Talbiyah, as much as they can. One has to spend prayers of Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and the night of eight Zil Haj in Mina.

Staying at Arafah

On 9th of Zilhaj after offering Fajr prayer in Mina hajis go to Arafat. At declining of sun wuquf-e- arafat starts and ends at the sunset. It is better to perform Wuquf in standing position, but it is permissible to sit as well. This whole time is spent in reciting Talbiyah, repenting on sins, saying prayers and asking Allah (swt) for His forgiveness. At Zuhr time, Zuhr and Asr prayers are offered together, if prayed in Masjid-e-Namrah, and, if one is away from Masjid-e-Namrah he offer zuhr and asr prayers separately.

Muzdullifah

When the sun sets without offering Maghrib prayer, hajis progress to Muzdalifah reciting prayers and Talbiyah. At the time of Isha, Maghrib and Isha prayers are offered together. There is one Iqamah and one Azhan for both prayers. Muzdalifah Night is a blessed night, which is spent in reciting prayers, Quran and Talbiyah. Stones of the size of chick peas are also collected in order to perform Ramy (stoning the Shaytan) in Mina. Two Rakaat Sunnah are offered at Fajr prayer before Farz and Waquf.

Ramy Jamarat

On 10th of Zilhaj, hajis throw seven stones at Jamrah-Aqabah one after the other. Talbiyah is stopped, when hajis hit the first stone.

Eid ul Adha

Eid-ul-Adha is celeberated across the globe on 10th of Zilhaj. Eid prayers is offered any time after the sun completely rises but before the Zuhr time. The Hazrat Ibrahim sunnah of preparation for Eid-ul-Azha prayer includes- offering Fajr prayers and wearing new or best clothes available.

Three days the 10th, 11th and 12th of Zil haj arenominated for sacrificing an animal. It can be done anytime during day and night. Sacrificing animal withone’s own hands and distributing the meat among family and deserving people is a Sunnah of Allah’s (SWT) Messenger (PBUH). (Bukhari)

Halq (shaving) and Qasr (cutting of hairs and nails) is done after the sacrifice. If the sacrifice is carried out, Halq and Qasr will also be postponed. After Halq and Qasr, bans of Ihram are lifted, except husband and wife private relation which is only permissible after Tawaf-e-Ziarah.

Tawaf-e-Widah:

After Hajj, it is compulsory on hajis to perform farewell tawaf that is Tawaf-e-Wida. This tawaf is performed when hajis are leaving Makkah for their homeland.

What to do on Eid day

Recite the Takbiraat loudly while going for Eid Prayer and also when coming back.

Use different ways to reach at the place of the Eid Prayer.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged all Muslim women even one in monthly impurity to come out for Eid prayers. If they don’t have a covering, they should borrow it from someone while women in monthly impurity should stay away from the Musallah.(Bukhari 15:96)